One sugary drink a day can more than double the risk of stomach cancer, according to a newly published study.
The decades-long study, conducted by Mass General Brigham and published in Gastro Hep Advances, found that people who drank at least one sugary beverage every day had about 2.45 times the risk of stomach cancer than people who rarely drank them.
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Researchers studied the diet and health information of more than 112,000 American adults.
About 65% of American adults report drinking at least one sugary beverage each day, although this figure reflects American adults in general, and not necessarily the study participants.
Sugary drinks included soda, lemonade, punch and sports drinks.
During the study period, 278 participants developed stomach cancer. The link appeared in both men and women.
In women who drank more than one sugary drink per day, the risk was about three times higher than in women who drank rarely.
Artificially sweetened drinks were not associated with higher risk.
Researchers also studied fructose, a common sweetener in sugary drinks, and found that higher overall fructose consumption was associated with more cases of stomach cancer.
The study tracked people’s habits and health, but it didn’t assign them drinks. For this reason, it is not possible to prove that sugary drinks cause cancer, the researchers said.
Researchers say more studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand the link.
Gn Health
